Considering all the ways we can communicate love, our mouths seem to be the first way we go haywire. I must be the world’s expert on talking when I should keep my big fat mouth shut. I’ve had my share of troubles caused by religiosity. Haven’t we all? But, can anyone tame the tongue?

Why do spiritual people have to sound so mad? Nothing gets us in trouble faster. So, how in the world do we humans speak truth factually and with compassion, especially on hot topics like love and religion? Honestly, it’s a wonder we ever have any decent conversations at all.

Out of the Heart, the Mouth Speaks

Sadly, I’ve learned the hard way. When we hear our mouths saying all manner of embarrassingly selfish stuff, it’s time to look deeper. Thoughts originate in the heart. Next, our mouth gets to blabbing, like a squeaking windmill on a blustery day. Therefore, to speak truth with compassion, we have to set out heart right first.

Unfortunately, when we speak ideas that are opposite of God’s perspective, not only do we often get on everyone’s last nerve, we also line ourselves up with some pretty bad company. Sometimes, we get on everyone’s nerves even when we are speaking truth from God’s perspective. So, what’s the deal with that?

A Brood of Vipers

Naturally, Jesus addressed our human capacity to say all the wrong things. When He spoke to this problem, He went straight to the heart of it; in other words, our hearts. The ideas we cherish and espouse are treasured in our hearts first. In an amusing wrinkle, Jesus responded to His old friends, the Pharisees, with a picturesque description of how He viewed their religious views. In fact, their thoughts were so opposite of God’s truth, He even called them a brood of vipers. Ouch! That’s pretty harsh!

           “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.” (Matthew 12:33-37)

Dogmatic, Man-made Religiosity

Interestingly enough, we would probably not be so bold as to call someone else a snake, especially if we consider ourselves good Christians and all that. Just for the record, though, Jesus is using strong language to appeal to religious folks because He loves them. This group of Pharisees were folks who chose to harden their hearts, while pretending to be spiritual. It’s safe to say that religiosity sounded a serious alarm in Jesus’s soul, thus He took extreme measures. The Pharisees were choosing a dogmatic, man-made religiosity rather than the sacrificial, responsive spirituality Jesus embodies. 

Compassion, not Condemnation

I don’t know about you, but I tend to read Jesus’s words here as if loaded with condemnation. In fact, it was years before I realized He was offering them a strong entreaty, with their one best interests at its core. We can safely assume Jesus’s motivation, demonstrated to the Pharisees in harsh words, is the desire to redeem people, offering them a relationship with Himself. This truth He beautifully demonstrates in action on the cross, where He died for anyone ready to receive Him, including the Pharisees. Heck, He died for me and you, too, which is no small miracle. The only question is will we trust Him to create true spirituality in our own hearts.

Religiosity: A Serious Threat to Spirituality

Unlike Jesus, we rarely feel safe enough in our own righteousness that we would freely call other people names. Certainly, we’d be embarrassed to say that calling folks names is in their best interests. Rightfully so, since who am I to point out someone else’s sin? It’s worth noting, however, that Jesus dealt with religious hypocrisy sternly, even harshly, while He dealt tenderly and patiently with moral or social hypocrisy. 

Religiosity is a serious threat to true spirituality. We want to choose true spiritual well-being for ourselves and our children. In our own homes this information can inform the way we engage in conversational adventures with our spouse, children, or extended family. At work, in church, or in our communities, Jesus’s example can inspire patience and compassion for hurting people, no matter where sin may manifest, even in the sin of religiosity.

May I pray for you?

Father in heaven, we gaze in wonder at the love Your Son demonstrated, even to those who hated and unjustly attacked His true, sacrificial spirituality. How we thank You for sending such a beautiful Messenger to us, inviting us into community with You! We receive now the Truth You offer and ask that You would plant it deeply in our hearts. Help us understand Who Your Son truly is and how much He truly loves us, each one. Open the eyes of ur hearts to see how we can love those around us, in Your honor. We pray in Jesus’s name. Amen.

We love to hear from you!

When have you had people condemn you without knowing your story? How do you comfort yourself when you feel bruised by religiosity? Any tips you could share about keeping our lives real?

We have Winners!

Winners were contacted via email this week and will be receiving one Dana Goodrum‘s book, Open With Your Broken!!! If you missed the contest, it’s not too late to get in on the action.

Next up: artist made wrappers just in time for Easter! These darling templets are perfect for a Sunday school craft or entertaining kids over spring break. Heck, adults will love this coloring fun! Each one has inspiring messages and can be cut out to wrap up a candy bar. They are the perfect little treat to let friends know they are loved. Sign up for our blog and get your free templet here!

Or, find lots more easy ideas about spending time with creative kids from Anna Krafve Pierce, here.

More Stories and Wisdom to Bless Our Hearts

If you, too, are committed to building healthy communities, we want to encourage you! Joyfully, we’ve interviewed experts. Don’t miss their stories and wisdom, shared just for you on Fireside Talk Radio: Sarah Cummings, Neita Fran Ward, Benjamin A. Simpson, Ben Sciacca, Doug McSwane, Marcie McSwane, and Tony Johnson.

Cathy Krafve, Columnist, Speaker, Blogger, Podcaster, and Christian Writer, invites your stories, ideas, and questions at CathyKrafve.com. Truth with a Texas Twang.